2004R - TV Cable

[wiedemab]

I'll preface this question with the statement that I understand the function of the TV cable system in these transmission and would prefer to not go down the road of "it's not the same as a kickdown cable on a TH350".


I bought a 2004R that was already being used with a Bowtie Overdrives TV setup, but in it's previous vehicle they were running a Holley carb. I had the transmission rebuilt, and used all of the same stuff from Bowtie (ie: their TV spring, braided TV cable). I bought their bracketry for a Quadrajet. I hooked everything up and adjusted the cable to the longest position just to check the travel.

Note: the transmission isn't filled yet, just getting everything hooked up.

I wanted to check the travel of the throttle linkage. When I tried to push the linkage to WOT, it got pretty tight and I hear a click, then the cable went slack. I pulled the pan and saw that it had essentially overtravelled the pivot that actuates the TV plunger. I pushed the plunger back in and put the pivot back where it belonged, put the pan back on. I took everything back off, and just manually pulled on the cable, seemed to pull and return OK. I hooked the linkage back up and pulled the throttle again. The same thing happened. It's not getting anywhere near WOT. I'm not sure if I'm missing something here or what.

I'm going to pull the pan, take some pictures and call Bowtie Overdrives and see what they have to say.

I thought someone on here might have had this happen to them. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know. If not, I'll update the thread with whatever I figure out is the issue in case someone else has the same problem.

Thanks,

Brandon

[GregWeld]

Personally -- I'd disconnect the TV cable -- hold it with a plier or whatever -- and manually WOT the carb -- then pull the TV cable out and see where it is in relationship to where you've HAD it hooked up.... then see where it maybe SHOULD be hooked up??


Just the way I'd do it....

[wiedemab]

Greg,

I disconnected the cable and moved the carb linkage to WOT and from what I can tell the cable won't come close to reaching (pulling out that far). I'm going to pull the pan and take the TV plunger and spring out to make sure something isn't awry - -- I'll verify it has the correct spring from the kit that Bowtie sells. I have a spare to check it against.

When I put the 700R4 (same basic TV setup) in my truck, it literally just hooked up and worked, which is why I'm a bit puzzled by this one. Also, this same setup worked in the previous vehicle....just need to figure out what changed, I guess.

I'm thankful I didn't fill it with fluid before I checked it!

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by wiedemab

I'm thankful I didn't fill it with fluid before I checked it!

I hear that buddy!


I ALWAYS set my TV cables with the pan off --- setting the idle setting with just a slight gap (.0025 or so) and then have someone mat the gas and make sure the plunger goes all the way flush. I'm old school that way on these trannys because you can wreck one so easily with a bad set up!


I just don't think someone can help fix the issue when they can't really see what you're up against.


BTW -- I've bought 2 BTO stage III 700r4's for my cars - and have had two of my buddies buy them for their cars -- not a single issue! Good tranny's and I can abuse them! BUT -- their tech hasn't been "much" the couple times I called. I even went to their place before I bought from them... it's pretty "grungy" and really is not much to talk about - but their stuff works!!

[wiedemab]

I'll check everything with the pan off like you suggested. I'll try to document what I find and maybe it'll help someone else.....If I can indeed figure it out - -

[wiedemab]

I talked to Bowtie Overdrives this afternoon (morning for them).

Apparently they've had some issues with a standard length cable being a bit too short. I'm going to move the bracket toward the linkage to gain some length on the cable. He also informed me that the standard pressure test isn't as good of a way to set the TV cable on the 2004R as it is for the 700R4. He suggests exactly what Greg did - - --- -set it with the pan off and make sure at idle the actuator is barely in contact with the plunger -- -

As is usual - - The Weld'man gives good advice!.

I'll report back once I've had time to try their suggestions.